Sanatana Dharma: The eternal way of life; the term used to
describe Hinduism by its followers. The origins of Sanatana
Dharma take us back 5000 years or more to Northern India
where the River Indus flows, to a time when the river was called
Sindhu. At this time many Persians migrated to India, they
pronounced the river’s name as Hindu, called the land
Hindustan and its people Hindus. Since that time Hinduism has
been the term used to refer to the religious practices and beliefs
of the Hindus.
Hinduism has no founder, single teacher nor prophets.
Hinduism has been influenced by the
traditions,
stories and
practices of peoples from all over India. Hinduism as we know it today was
given its framework by the Veda scriptures.
In India a massive 83% of the population are followers of Hinduism. Like India, the philosophies
of Hinduism are often a paradox.
This section aims to help you gain some understanding of the basics of Hinduism.
What do Hindus believe?
"Hinduism is more a way of life than a set of beliefs."
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Former President of India.
Essentially, Hindus believe in a universal soul, or God, called Brahman; that existence is a cycle of
birth, death and rebirth governed by karma. They strive to achieve Moksha, more commonly known
as Nirvana in Buddhist and Jain philosophies.
There are three main schools of Hinduism; the Vaishnavites who worship Vishnu and Krishna,
who is believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu; Shaivates who worship Shiva and those who
worship Shakti, the Mother Goddess.
Karma and Reincarnation:
Hindus believe in the
cycle of life,
death and
rebirth in harmony
with the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This life cycle is
underpinned by one of the most basic doctrines of Sanantana
Dharma; karma.
Karma means action or fate in Sanskrit. It refers to the cycle of
action and consequences. Whatever we put out into the Universe
we get back in equal measure, this law operates whether we are
aware of it or not. It is the process by which we shape our
destinies and build our realities. It is the belief that everyone
must take responsibility for their actions.
The belief in karma has a deep impact on daily life in India; what you do in this life affects
subsequent lives. Hindus believe in reincarnation, that you are born and reborn many times and
each time according to karma. Many people therefore simply accept their position and the position
of others, i.e. beggars, as karma.